LIGHT AND ELEGANT SALMON SALAD

Summer vacation is starting to wind down, and I'm left wondering where all the long, lazy days have disappeared to. I seem to have been rushing around just as much as ever.
However, when I have had the opportunity to slow down enough to relax and recharge it has been wonderful, and very much appreciated.
I had a group of girlfriends over for a light lunch, and it was glorious to sit out on the deck, sipping a cool beverage, dining on our elegant salad and just loving the company and the day.

LIGHT AND ELEGANT SALMON SALAD

DRESSING
3/4 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh chives, chopped
1 1/4 teaspoon of lemon zest, grated
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 clove of garlic, minced
SALMON
1 salmon fillet per person
olive oil or cooking spray
salt and pepper to taste
SALAD
4 cups salad greens
3/4 cup basil leaves
1 ripe mango, cubed and peeled

Place dressing ingredients in a blender and process until almost smooth. Set aside.
Drizzle olive oil into a large pan, set over medium heat. Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper, and pan fry, 5 minutes on each side or until salmon flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Place the greens and basil on individual plates. Drizzle with the dressing to taste, and divide salmon among the plates. Top with extra dressing if desired and the cubed mango.
Enjoy!

SPICY CHICKEN AND CORN CHOWDER and ROASTED CAULIFLOWER POTATO SOUP

I am hoping we have seen the last of the really cold winter weather - I'm ready for Spring and the joys of a warmer season.
However, I will definitely make the best of the remaining chill in the air and enjoy the pleasures that come with it - lighting the fire in the dining room and eating dinner in front of its warm glow, and cooking hearty fare.
These soups aren't too heavy, but have enough depth and vigor to stand up to the still cool weather.

SPICY CHICKEN AND CORN CHOWDER

2 cups chicken stock
2 chicken breasts
6 slices of bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans corn
1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 cup half and half
cilantro

In a saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add chicken and just enough water to cover, simmer, covered until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
Transfer chicken to a plate and reserve broth. Chop chicken into bite sized pieces, set aside.
Cook bacon, onion and garlic in a pot over medium heat, until the bacon is crisp and vegetables are tender, about 7 minutes.
Add corn, jalapeño, salt, pepper and red pepper to taste, and reserved chicken broth and cook a further 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in half and half, chicken and bacon and cook just until heated through, about 5 minutes.
Serve topped with cilantro.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, July 2012
ww.nwaonline.com/.../2012/.../icebox-cake-recipe-still-provides-chi...

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER POTATO SOUP

1 head cauliflower, core removed and cut into florets
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped shallot
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup cream
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
blue cheese crumbles

Heat oven to 400F. Prepare a rimmed baking tray with foil and spray with cooking spray. In a large bowl, toss cauliflower and potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, or until tender.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, saute shallot in remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and thyme, cooking until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Pour in chicken stock, roasted cauliflower and potatoes. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes, uncovered.
Puree in blender in batches. Add puree back to the pot and warm the soup to a slight simmer. Add cream, cheese and buffalo sauce (I made this soup for the whole family, so left the buffalo sauce on the side). Stir until cheese is melted and soup is warmed through.
Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and drizzle a little buffalo sauce on top for an extra kick.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Noble Pig
http://noblepig.com/2013/01/cheesy-buffalo-roasted-cauliflower-potato-soup/

FLOUNDER AND ROASTED TOMATOES

I was very excited for my Uncle to come and visit, and picked him up from the bus station last week. He had flown from New Zealand, taken a train from Los Angeles to Chicago, then a bus to Fayetteville via St Louis. Needless to say, he had see a lot of countryside, and met some very interesting people.
His first night with us, I wanted a simple, nourishing meal - something that wouldn't tie me to the kitchen, and would ensure lots of time to visit - and this dish was perfect.
We paired the flounder with a delicious bottle of American chardonnay, and lots of wonderful conversation.

FLOUNDER AND ROASTED TOMATOES

2 tablespoons capers
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
4 skinless flounder or sole fillets
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Heat oven to 400F.
Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl, toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, top with basil.
Combine breadcrumbs, parsley and thyme in a shallow dish, season to taste with salt and pepper. Coat fillets with cooking spray, dredge in breadcrumb mixture.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the fillets to pan, cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and fillets.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, May 2012
www.cookinglight.com › Food › Recipe Finder

TOMATO STACK SALAD WITH CORN AND AVOCADO

My husband decided he wanted to invite some acquaintances from twitter over for dinner. Having no idea what we were getting ourselves in for, we planned what we hoped would be a fresh and delicious menu. This was one of my favorite dishes, flavorful but light - and the dressing was one of the best I have tasted.
The evening could have gone either way, but thankfully, the group who came were absolutely fabulous, a truly wonderful, interesting mix of people, that made it a fun evening, full of great conversation, delightful appreciation of food, and who we would welcome back any time.

TOMATO STACK SALAD WITH CORN AND AVOCADO

2 bacon slices
1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
2 ears shucked corn
4 tomatoes, cut into slices
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 ripe peeled avocado, thinly sliced
4 teaspoons olive oil

Heat the grill to high heat.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon to pan, cook 8 minutes or until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels, and chop.
Combine buttermilk, chives, basil, mayonnaise, vinegar and garlic, stirring with a whisk. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Coat corn with cooking spray. Place corn on grill rack, grill 8 minutes or until well marked, turning occasionally. Remove from grill, cool slightly. Cut corn kernels from cobs.
Sprinkle tomato slices evenly with salt. Alternate layers of tomato and avocado on each of 4 plates.
Drizzle each tomato stack with about 1 1/2 tablespoons dressing and 1 teaspoon oil. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper over salads, top each salad with chopped bacon.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, August 2012
www.cookinglight.com/